States have a legal obligation under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to respect and protect human rights defenders working towards the realisation of those rights, according to a groundbreaking new statement by a UN Treaty Body.

In an authoritative statement, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, said that ‘it considers any threat or violence against human rights defenders to constitute violations of States’ obligations towards the realisation of Covenant rights’.

‘This is a significant development, recognising that attacks or restrictions against, for example, human rights defenders working to oppose forcible evictions may actually amount to a violation of the right to housing itself,’ said Lucy McKernan of the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR).

The statement was made by the Committee following a briefing and discussion paper prepared jointly by GI-ESCR, the International Service for Human Rights and the International Platform Against Impunity. A coalition of over 300 civil society organisations coordinated by these NGOs also wrote to the Committee urging it to take action.

In the most comprehensive statement on defenders issued by a UN treaty body, the Committee expresses serious concern as to the worsening risks and threats faced by many human rights defenders working to promote economic, social and cultural rights. It reiterates that States’ obligations towards defenders include an obligation to ensure they are ‘effectively protected against any and all forms of abuse, violence and reprisal’ and to investigate and ensure accountability for any such acts, whether perpetrated by State or non-State actors.

‘Investigating, punishing and ending impunity for attacks and violations against human rights defenders is crucial both to ensure accountability and to prevent and deter further violations,’ said Andrea Bolaños Vargas of International Platform Against Impunity.

The Committee’s statement also sets out a range of positive measures that States should take to protect defenders in line with their obligations under the Covenant. These steps include publicly recognising defenders' vital and legitimate work, reviewing and repealing laws and policies which criminalise or restrict such work, and developing and implementing specific laws and mechanisms for defenders’ protection.

Welcoming the statement, ISHR Director Phil Lynch said, ‘This is the first time that a UN treaty body has adopted an official statement on the situation of human rights defenders and the legal obligations of States to ensure a safe and enabling environment for their work. The statement also effectively recognises that States must respect and protect defenders' rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly and public participation as an aspect of their obligations under ICESCR. We encourage all treaty bodies to now follow CESCR’s lead by adopting General Comments, statements or recommendations which recognise States’ treaty obligations to respect and protect defenders and which provide them with concrete policy guidance in that regard.’

Want to lead a dynamic and dedicated ESC rights team? GI-ESCR is looking for an expert, passionate and committed leader to take the organisation to the next level of development.
Learn more: www.gi-escr.org/jobs
Deadline: June 7th 2019
Visit www.gi-escr.org/jobs for details.

What are the #AbidjanPrinciples? Join our double panel at #CIES2019 tomorrow at 1:30 & 3:15 to learn more.

As countries grapple with serious challenges of access & quality in #education, PPPs are on the rise. With the new #AbidjanPrinciples on the #Right2Education, what does this mean for the role of @GPforEducation and @WorldBank?
Join the discussion Thursday, April 11, 3:30-5 PM

In case you missed it, the #AbidjanPrinciples are now available!
Learn more at www.abidjanprinciples.org

Day two of the conference on the text of the #AbidjanPrinciples
Join us for the closing ceremony of the #AbidjanPrinciples Wednesday, 13 February @ 6pm GMT
Watch live at: https://web.facebook.com/RTEInitiative/ Follow @RTEInitiative to be notified!

What are the #abidjanprinciples on the right to education?
#HumanRights #education

On 12-13 of Feb #Education & #HumanRights Experts will meet to strengthen the right to access free quality public education in the context of growing private sector involvement in education.
Find out more www.abidjanprinciples.org

We have a new joint statement with @landesaglobal!
Check it out: www.gi-escr.org/publications
#climatechange #womensrights #HumanRights #gender

New report on Privatisation and Commercialisation of Education in Mauritania Available at: http://bit.ly/2QVC2VL
#education #EducationBeforeProfit #HumanRights #Mauritania

Join us! Tomorrow 23 October - 'Privatisation of Education and Health: The Global
and West Africa Context' at #ForumACHPR63 side event #Banjul

We are at the NGO Forum in preparation of 63rd session of #ACHPR. Looking forward to bringing awareness on #privatisation of social services!

Learn how to assess the impact of private sector on the right to #health.
Check out @asheenah poster presentation at #HSR2018
#HealthyEvidence @GIESCR @Kemba_A @Kemba_A @ISERUganda @EssexHRC
https://t.co/4kjO0HhZRd

New report highlights dangers of using PPPS for public service provision, including #education & #health 👉 Read more https://t.co/3TfpOWvzXr
#HistoryRepppeated #WBGmeetings #EducationBeforeProfit @ashezz_m @GIESCR #COTAE #Liberia

We are very excited to announce the release of the first edition of the CESCR Yearbook, for 2017! Find out more @globalinitiative-escr.org/cescr-yearbook/
#CESCR #Yearbook #2017

The online public consultation is open until 30 September 2018! Learn more: Bit.ly/2N39qv8
#Education #PrivateEdPrinciples @EElawCenter @rteinitiative @amnesty @giescr

Members of the Drafting Committee for the Human Rights Guiding Principles on Private Actors in Education met in Geneva to review the draft and comments, and prepare for the next stage of consultations. Follow us @giescr for updates!